STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Bollywood, the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India — the largest film producer in India and one of the largest centers of film production in the world — will come alive Saturday evening, Jan. 29, during “Snowball in Bollywood.”

The Snowball Gala, dubbed “A Hot Time on a Cold Night,” will kick off at 7 p.m. in Nicotra’s Ballroom at the Hilton Garden Inn, with the serving of cocktails and the passing of hors d’oeuvres at the Bloomfield venue.

The event will be replete with a gourmet dinner to be served at 8 p.m., inclusive of an open bar — as well as plenty of casino activity and dancing to the strains of Silas Knight & the Brooklyn Horns.

The evening, hosted by the Staten Island Ballet, will be embellished with unique set designs punctuated with distinctive creations handcrafted by Gene Sorensen and Donald DeRosa, talented residents of Westerleigh and Richmond, respectively.

Ellen Tharp, artistic director of the Staten Island Ballet and a 2008 Advance Woman of Achievement, reveals that an ensemble production, a hot, Las Vegas-style revue and sizzling floor show, has been incorporated into the evening’s fare that is to include an exotic performance by 10 — five males and five females — clad in exotic attire, who comprise part of the Staten Island Professional Ballet Company, a not-for-profit organization.

Note that table decor has been created by Sean Psomas of Wildflowers, along with dedicated committee members.

The evening that promises to be filled with fun, style and diversity is always free of speeches and chairpeople, because, as Ms. Tharp says: “Our honorees are the guests who keep the arts community alive and to raise funds and for guests to enjoy all it has to offer.” Proceeds are directed to the Staten Island Ballet’s Children’s Scholarship Fund and the Staten Island Ballet’s Free Performance Series. Donations are tax-deductible.

The event is black-tie optional. Cocktail attire, casino or casual chic is suggested.

Tickets are $150 per person. To reserve or for additional information, telephone the Staten Island Ballet at 718 980-0500.

COOKING DEMONSTRATION

Executive chef, Stefano Sena, co-owner of Bocelli Ristorante in Grasmere, will bring his cooking expertise to Casa Belvedere, the Italian Cultural Foundation and Community Center on Howard Avenue, Grymes Hill, on Thursday at 7 p.m., at which time he’ll conduct a cooking and wine-tasting demonstration class and dinner with gourmet selections native to the region of Campagna, Italy.

Seating begins at 6:30 p.m.

The bill of fare will be comprised of an antipasto, imported bufala mozzarella with oven roasted plum tomatoes and asparagus and polenta migliazza (a style of cooking cornmeal), to be followed by poached codfish salad with toasted pine nuts and soaked raisins vino cotto (cooked wine).

Pasta faggioli (pasta and white bean soup) with chestnuts from Campana will serve as the next course before the entree, veal osso bucco is presented with braised tomatoes from San Marsano, Italy. Creamy risotto with grana padana cheese and sweet peas will act as compliments.

Wines will be donated by Feudi di SanGregorio of Avellino, Italy, to compliment each course. Vocalist Nancy Corvino will entertain with Neopolitan tunes. Proceeds will be earmarked for Casa Belvedere.

Chef Sena explains that his intention is to spread awareness of Casa Belvedere, as well as to preserve the authentic style of Italian cooking from the “old country” and exhibit the authenticity, beauty and culture of the province of Avellino in the region of Campagna, the area of southern Italy where he and his family were born.

Happy birthday to tomorrow to Sal Tirone, business entrepreneur and former co-owner of Tirone’s Shoes, Port Richmond, who turns 90 years young, to Larry Miraglia and to Phyllis Schreiner.

Happy birthday tomorrow to Matt Bacchi, who turns 24. An alum of Siena College and Curtis High School and accounting and sales staffer for G & F Supply, Matt will celebrate his birthday with a ski trip to Hunter Mountain with his brother James and 18 friends.

Diane and Fred Bacchi mark their 51st wedding anniversary tomorrow and happy belated birthday to Linda Colon who celebrated the big 5-0 on Jan. 21. Michael Peteroy celebrates his 47th on Jan. 28 and wedding anniversary wishes to Annemarie and Joe Russo who marked their eighth on Jan. 3.